The Dangers of Rapid Fat Loss

Most of us want to lose weight. And we want to do it fast. A fat loss program is rarely fun so we want to get it over with a quickly as possible. And we want to see the results fast. But to expect to fit into a pair of jeans your outgrew 10 years ago in 10 days is just plain unrealistic. It can also be very unhealthy and even dangerous. Sure there are plans that promise the fastest way to lose weight. And the good ones are designed to minimize the adverse affect of rapid weight loss. But before starting on a fast fat loss program, you need to know what the side effects and dangers are so that if you notice any of them, you can take corrective action.

A constant feeling of tiredness, feeling sleepy all day and needing more than your usual amount of sleep at night is a sure sign that your quick fat loss program is hurting you. These are all signs of a lack of the basic nutrition your body requires. Remember that diet plans are designed for the "average" person, whereas each body is different. What suits you may not suit your best friend. If you notice any of these symptoms, stop your diet, return to your normal food intake and see if the feelings disappear. If so, your fast weight lass plan doesn't suit you. If the symptoms remain, consult a doctor.

Another sign that a quick fat loss plan does not agree with you is when you find your levels of concentration dropping. You will find that doing simple calculations, remembering things and following a thought process to its conclusion, becomes difficult. Your brain is a muscle too and it needs its nutrients to keep working and without them it slows down. Once again, if you notice these symptoms, stop your diet and see if your concentration levels improve with a return to your normal food intake.

A weight loss program is supposed to make you look better. If you find your good friends (the ones who are honest with you!) telling you how worn out or run down you look, it probably your fast fat loss program that is causing this. Remember, if you don't look healthy, it means you're not, even if there are no other immediately noticeable symptoms.

Do you know that a rapid fat loss program that is not suited to your specific metabolism can actually make you put on weight? If your body is deprived of essential nutrients, it protects itself by slowing down the metabolic rate - the speed at which your body functions. When this happens, you burn less fat and so soon the weight loss either stops or slows down to a speed even less than that of a regular diet. And once you end the diet and return to your normal food intake, your metabolism will not be ready to immediately speed up. So you end up burning less fat than you did before you started the diet and the un-burnt fat gets stored in your body. And so you're weight increases and the belly fat returns.

There's nothing wrong with most quick weight loss programs and seeing your belly fat disappear fast can be a major boost to your sense of well being. Just remember that a rapid weight loss plan is not a one size fits all program. They are designed for the "average" body at a specific age. Your body may have different needs. If you find a fast weight loss plan is having side affects that affect your health, stop and try something else. The fastest way to lose weight is not always the best way.

1. Prev:Exercises for Rapid Fat Loss
2. Next:Fat Loss Diet Basics